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28 October 2010

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Maternity leave: Good news for mothers and gender equality

THE European Parliament has voted in favour of extending both maternity and paternity leave across Europe.
The proposal calls for the minimum period of maternity leave to be extended from 14 to 20 weeks fully paid. It also approved an entitlement to paid paternity leave of two weeks.
The vote has been welcomed by the European Parliament group of which Irish MEP Bairbre de Brún is a member, GUE/NGL (European United Left/Nordic Green Left).
Welcoming the vote on maternity leave as a “boost for mothers and fathers across Europe”, Portuguese GUE/NGL MEP Ilda Figueiredo said that MEPs’ approval of proposals to guarantee decent maternity leave would support pregnant workers and aid efforts to narrow the gender pay gap.
“In recognition of the social, economic and health benefits of decent maternity leave with full pay, the European Parliament has shot down shameful right-wing attempts to damage the notion of maternity and paternity as fundamental social values,” Ilda said.
“Full maternity leave pay is necessary to make sure that all can benefit. In the context of crisis, today’s vote for 100% pay is good news for women.
“We will keep fighting to defend the rights of women and children and hope the Council accepts Parliament’s position.”

This is funded by the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL)

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